Lakeshore Records has released the Sherpa – Original Soundtrack digitally on April 1st and will release it on CD shortly thereafter. The album features the film’s original score by Antony Partos(99 HOMES, THE ROVER).

"It’s very rare to be given the opportunity to write orchestral music for a documentary and even rarer to have such an epic backdrop as the Himalayas to inspire the soundtrack,” said Partos.

A fight on Everest? It seemed incredible. But in 2013 news channels around the world reported an ugly brawl at 21,000ft as European climbers fled a mob of angry Sherpas. In 1953, New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay had reached the summit in a spirit of co-operation and brave optimism. Now climbers and Sherpas were trading insults – even blows. What had happened to the happy, smiling Sherpas and their dedication in getting foreigners to the top of the mountain they hold so sacred? Determined to explore what was going on, the filmmakers set out to make a film of the 2014 Everest climbing season, from the Sherpas’ point of view. Instead, they captured a tragedy that would change Everest forever. At 6.45am on April 18, 2014, a 14 million ton block of ice crashed down onto the climbing route through the Khumbu Icefall, killing 16 Sherpas. It was the worst tragedy in the history of Everest. The disaster provoked a drastic reappraisal about the role of the Sherpas in the Everest industry. SHERPA, tells the story of how, in the face of fierce opposition, the Sherpas united in grief and anger to reclaim the mountain they call Chomolungma.

“Finding the right tone and palette was where Jen Peedom, director, and I started,” Partos explained. “To score the sweeping landscapes and to capture the extent of the tragedy that the documentary depicts, I think there was no other choice other than to record it with a large string orchestra. I was also interested on alluding to the sounds that are part of the culture of the Nepalese, such as the ever present sounds of cow bells and the mysticism of the prayer wheels, so the use of bell like textures formed part of the palette.”

Antony Partos is one of Australia’s most awarded film composers. His passion lies in creating scores that blend both acoustic and electronic elements alongside an eclectic mix of exotic instruments. His feature film credits include ANIMAL KINGDOM (AFI Award for Best Feature Score) THE ROVER, DISGRACE, THE HOME SONG STORIES, (AFI Award for best feature score) and UNFINISHED SKY (AFI Award for best feature score).